Saif Ali Khan quizzed by Enforcement Directorate

Mumbai: Bollywood Saif Ali Khan has landed himself in a major soup yet again. The actor was questioned for over three hours in connection with alleged evasion of duty on his imported high-end car.

The case dates back to 2004, when ED had summoned the actor concerning illegal possession of an imported vehicle. In 2006, the ED had also sent Saif a legal notice which the actor did not respond to.

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) sources said that the actor was questioned over the mode of payment.

Officials suspect that the payment for purchase of the car was made outside India and ED was investigating under the provisions of the Foreign Exchange Management Act (FEMA).

The vehicle in question, Toyota Land Cruiser, was imported under the Transfer of Residence Rules in 2004 from Dubai. The importer is a Kerala resident, Kolangara Mannuni Mohammad. He is a man of small means and could not have paid for the car himself, investigators said.

Under the Transfer of Residence Rules, a person of Indian origin can import his personal assets free of customs duty for his own use in India after staying abroad for a period of two years.

Saif, whose statement has not been recorded so far, today appeared before the ED officials, who suspect that he had paid the money for the car to Mohammed to purchase it in Dubai.

The car is now in Saif's name and possession and hence he was questioned.